After reading all the reviews, all the
hype, all the criticisms and accolades, I finally got an opportunity to
see Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion Of The Christ" for myself. It was
everything the film was billed to be, and more!

As a Christian pastor, the first thing
I looked for was scriptural accuracy. I was not disappointed. While
Gibson added events not specifically mentioned in the Gospel
narratives, there was nothing unscriptural about the film. Nothing.
Beyond that, those parts that were added to the historical record were
not out of context. Just the opposite: they carefully followed the
character and circumstances of the record to an extremely realistic
degree.

Knowing of Gibson's Catholic beliefs,
the next thing I looked for was an overemphasis on Mary. Again, I was
not disappointed. She was not presented in any manner inconsistent with
the Word of God. She was beautifully pictured as a Godly woman of faith
and humility who was forced to endure the unspeakable pain of watching
her son suffer such an agonizing death.

Of course, the Person of Christ was
played magnificently. I doubt that there could ever be a better on
screen depiction of our Lord. This presentation of Christ sets the
definitive standard for all films, past and future. The scenes
depicting the beatings, scourging, and crucifixion of Jesus were
brutally realistic and, again, faithful to the scriptural record.

Furthermore, the "supporting cast"
such as Pilate, Pilate's wife, the Jewish High Priest, the Jewish
leaders, Simon Peter, the disciple John, the Roman Centurion, and the
betrayer Judas Iscariot were all wonderfully played. There were no weak
characters. No person relevant to the story was improperly presented.
Casting and performance were stellar!

Another terrific touch to the film was
the reoccurring sight of Satan appearing as the invisible but
ubiquitous presence throughout the entire episode. This, too, has solid
scriptural foundation. After all, the events which caused Christ's
sacrificial death on the cross were first and foremost spiritual in
nature. Jesus did not die a martyr's death. He died the death of a
Redeemer! As such, the real battle was not against flesh and blood, but
against "spiritual wickedness in high places."

The film also clearly presented the
fact that Jesus gave His life; it was not taken from Him. He was, after
all, the incarnate God giving His life a ransom for man's sin.

Another nice feature to the film was
the way in which Gibson used flashbacks into Christ's life and words. I
was especially impressed with some of these. For example, we heard
Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto
the Father but by me." We heard Him warn His disciples of coming
persecution, that the servant was not greater than his Lord. We saw Him
forgive the woman taken in adultery, etc. The flashbacks greatly
enhanced the understanding of one unfamiliar with the Gospel to the
significance and meaning of Christ's death on the cross.

My only disappointment was in a couple
of events that were left out of the film. For example, after seeing the
sky turn black and the earthquake which accompanied Christ's
crucifixion, the scripture records the Roman Centurion as saying,
"Truly this was the Son of God." That statement was left out. I wish it
has been included.

The other noticeable omission (to me)
was when Judas and the soldiers approached Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane. The scriptures say that after Christ identified Himself to
them, they "fell backward." That was not shown. I would have liked to
have seen that.

I can honestly and wholeheartedly say
that "The Passion Of The Christ" is the greatest film ever produced
about our Lord's death! It is a masterpiece! I encourage any and all
who have not yet seen it to do so as soon as possible. I am certain
that God is using this film to touch this Biblically ignorant
generation of American people with the powerful message of Christ's
substitutionary death on the cross.

As for Christians who have already
come to reverence Christ's death for our sins, it is a powerful
reminder and reinforcement of what it took to purchase our redemption.
For me, the Lord's Table and the message of Calvary will never be the
same. I love Him more today than I did before seeing the film. I think
you will, too.

Chuck Baldwin is
Founder-Pastor of
Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church was
recognized by President Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and
influence.

Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively,
hard-hitting syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications
Network called, "Chuck Baldwin Live" This is a daily, one hour long
call-in show in which Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a
conservative Christian point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly
articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com and
newspapers.